Chris Froome battled to an impressive third place on stage 19 at the Tour de France to limit his losses and retain the race lead.

The Team Sky rider spent the entire 138-kilometre Alpine test under intense pressure but was able to find strength on the climb to La Toussuire, crossing the line just 30 seconds back on nearest rival Nairo Quintana.

The Colombian (Movistar) had attacked five kilometres from the summit of the first-category peak and quickly opened out a gap. Froome responded, with his acceleration seeing him push clear of both Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar).

With bonus seconds handed out on the line, Froome now holds a race-leading advantage of 2:38 over Quintana heading into Saturday’s mountain showdown.

Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) elevated himself up to fourth overall with victory on the stage, attacking from long-range as a select GC group ascended the Col de la Croix de Fer.

Team Sky were forced to dig deep on the stage in the face of attacks from kilometre zero. The race split apart on the opening climb of the Col du Chaussy, before a general regrouping in the next valley eventually brought the peloton back together.

Wout Poels ensured that Froome had a Team Sky jersey around him for almost the entire stage, with the Dutchman riding hard to provide invaluable support for his team leader. Fourth overall heading into the stage, Geraint Thomas fell into difficulties on the Croix de Fer, eventually dropping 22 minutes and slipping out of the top 10.

After the stage Froome admitted he was happy to come through the test but spared a thought for team-mate Thomas who slipped back.

“It was a massive day out there and the racing was on from the word go,” he said. “All-in-all it was a pretty good stage for us and we were able to tick another day off. We’ve got one day of serious racing left now. Quintana put in a real big attack there and I chose to ride at my own tempo, limit my losses, and stay within myself ahead of another big day tomorrow.

"It was a tough day for the team, a tough day for G, losing quite a bit of time today, he was feeling quite empty today, he’s done such a great job until now, been there every single day, poor guy, its so sad that at this point he’s lost his 4th place.

"Compared to two years ago, I don't feel any different with one stage to go. I have more control of the situation. It helped me when Nairo Quintana attacked with 5km to go. I didn't panic. I didn't feel any stress. I put myself in time trial mode, thinking of not going too deep because of tomorrow's stage but I also didn't want to give much time to Quintana. 

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow. L'Alpe d'Huez is the most iconic stage and it'll be the last test. My first memory as a teenager was to look at it in a boarding room, I think there were Basso and Armstrong and I don't remember who won, but I remember I was amazed by the crowd. I imagine there'll be a great atmosphere again tomorrow.

"With a lead of 2.30, I'm in an excellent position. Up to today, it was worth keeping an eye on both Quintana and Valverde but now, Valverde has lost some time, so I'll focus on Nairo exclusively.

It is a dream to win at l'Alpe d'Huez but I'll race for the yellow jersey. All the riders are a bit nervous before that climb because we know the crowd has been partying there for a few nights already. They'll be fully on. But hopefully it won't be any different than in previous years and it won't have any effect on the racing.

“It’s going to be full-on tomorrow up Alpe d’Huez but I’m actually looking forward to it – it’s the most iconic stage of this year’s Tour. It’s going to be epic out there. It would be a dream to take the stage win, but I’ll have to keep up with a little Colombian first."

The fireworks arrived early as Contador and then Nibali looked to push onwards on the opening climb, headlining a barrage of attacks in a bid to isolate the yellow jersey.

After a big regrouping in the valley as the entire team returned to the front, Froome battled back from a further scare ascending the Col du Glandon when he was forced to briefly dismount his bike.

Explaining the situation Froome added: "It was up the Col du Glandon, pretty close to the summit, I suddently felt like my back wheel locked up, a bit of tar or a small stone had locked itself between my brake caliper and back wheel so I had to stop and take the wheel backwards to get the stone out. Unfortunately that was the moment that Nibali decided to make his move. He did see what he was doing, I’m pretty sure he looked around, saw I was in trouble and attacked.  I heard from other riders that he looked back.

"In my opinion you don’t do that to the race leader, it’s not sportsmanlike. He had the whole climb to attack and he waited until I had a mechanical. You certianly wouldn’t find me attacking a race leader like that.

"I wouldn't say that he attacked the yellow jersey but he subsequently made Alejandro Valverde and Alberto Contador react, so it affected me. My feeling today is that my mechanical provoked his attack."